Eco Marine Power (EMP) unveiled a plan on Thursday to widen the scope of the Aquarius Eco Ship project and invite other companies to join the low-emissions ship design initiative.

As part of the plan, a wider range of technologies is to be studied, including fuel cells, air lubrication systems and electrical propulsion. Also, ship owners that are already indirectly connected to the project will be invited to participate more directly.

The Aquarius Eco Ship concept design is an ongoing study project focused on optimising the design of a large ocean-going ship - such as a bulk carrier, oil tanker, ro-ro vessel or cruise ship - to harness the power of the wind and sun using Aquarius MRE. The study was started by EMP in May 2011.

The centrepiece of the Aquarius Eco Ship is Aquarius MRE (Marine Renewable Energy) - a patented fuel-saving and emission reduction system that incorporates a variety of elements, including solar panels, energy storage modules, computer control systems and an advanced rigid sail design known as the EnergySail.

Elements of Aquarius MRE have already been commercialized and it is expected that the expanded project will lead to further fuel and emission reduction solutions to be introduced into the market.

EMP also recently displayed several technologies associated with the project, including a working prototype of an EnergySail and the EnergySail Automated Control System (ACS) at Sea Japan 2018 in Tokyo.

In addition to ship owners being invited to join the project, EMP is also reaching out to equipment vendors, classification societies and shipyards.

EMP says it will also begin to look for additional investors and strategic partners to help support sea trials and commercialize various technologies.